The Frost's Descent and the Reversed Woman: An Inquiry into the Ritual, Heavenly Way, and Moderation of Pre-Qin Marriage Regulations
This article deeply interprets the twelve characters, 'The Frost's Descent and the Reversed Woman, Ice Thaws and Killing Ceases, One Coitus in Ten Days,' tracing their origins in Pre-Qin classics like the *Rites of Zhou* and the *Book of Rites*. It analyzes the underlying principles concerning temporal restrictions on marriage, Yin-Yang philosophy, agricultural governance considerations, and sexual moderation, aiming to reconstruct the core of Pre-Qin ritualistic thought.
Chapter 12: Related Discussions by Pre-Qin Philosophers
Section 1: Confucius on Rites and Harmony
Confucius emphasized that the function of rites lies in achieving harmony (hé 和). The marriage season system achieves harmony by aligning human actions with the timing of Heaven.
Section 2: Laozi on Yin-Yang and Conjugal Visits
Laozi emphasizes that all things carry Yin and embrace Yang to achieve harmony. "Frost descends, women are wed" aligns with embracing Yang when Yin is dominant. "Once in ten days, an embrace" embodies the principle of returning to the root (guī gēn 归根) in stillness, ensuring life flows without stagnation or exhaustion.
Section 3: Zhuangzi on the Unity of Heaven and Man
Zhuangzi’s philosophy supports the idea that human affairs are integral to cosmic processes. The seasonal regulation of marriage reflects the principle of acting in accord with the universal flow (yuán dú yǐ wéi jīng 缘督以为经)—moderation in all things, including sexual relations, to preserve life.
Section 4: Xunzi on Rites and Moderation
Xunzi argued that rites originate to manage human desires and prevent conflict arising from unrestrained pursuit of resources. "Once in ten days, an embrace" is a perfect example of establishing a measure (liǎng fèn jiè duān 量分界断) for sexual desire, satisfying it without depletion—a harmonious balance where desire and vital essence mutually sustain each other. The seasonal timing aligns with the agricultural cycle, where winter is for storage (dōng cáng 冬藏), matching the inward focus of marriage.
Section 5: Mozi on Population
Mozi focused on early marriage and frequent procreation to increase population numbers, perhaps suggesting a more flexible view on the strictness of seasonal observance compared to Confucian emphasis on eugenics and quality.